Joshua Wong, an activist who became the face of Hong Kong’s 2014 pro-democracy “Umbrella Movement”, says he doesn’t advocate violence, a day after protesters ransacked the city’s parliament. But he adds that if peaceful protests had worked to convince the pro-Beijing leadership to completely withdraw a controversial China extradition bill, demonstrators would not have had to resort to violence.

Joshua Wong, the student leader who became the face of Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Movement” democracy protests in 2014, is released from prison. Wong, clutching a small box of belongings and dressed in a white shirt, walks free from Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institute and is swiftly mobbed by media and supporters.

Joshua Wong, the student leader who became the face of Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Movement” democracy protests in 2014, is released from prison. Wong tells reporters that the city’s embattled leader Carrie Lam must resign, “otherwise more Hong Kong people… will come and join the our fight.” SOUNDBITE

Three leading Hong Kong democracy campaigners plead not guilty to public nuisance charges over their involvement in massive rallies calling for political reform, as room for opposition in the semi-autonomous city shrinks under Chinese control.

Three leading Hong Kong democracy campaigners arrives at court for trial over their involvement in massive rallies calling for political reform, as room for opposition in the semi-autonomous city shrinks under an assertive China. IMAGES

Hundreds gather outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong to mark the third anniversary of mass pro-democracy rallies known as the Umbrella Movement, as fears grow over Beijing’s tightening grip on the city. IMAGES

In September 2014, VICE News documented the birth of the so-called Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong. When students organized a weeklong strike to protest China’s handling of the local election process, the government responded with tear gas. Thousands of Hong Kong residents took to the city’s streets in solidarity with the students and the protesters occupied several major roads for weeks on end.

Nearly two months into the occupation, the demands and resolve of the protesters remained unchanged. They started to become fatigued and divided against each other, however, and public support for their cause began to decline. The movement was under immense pressure to either escalate their action, or to retreat and give back the streets.

When VICE News returned to Hong Kong near the end of 2014 to check in on the protesters, we witnessed the final days of the Umbrella Movement’s pro-democracy demonstrations.

In September 2014, VICE News documented the birth of the so-called Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong. When students organized a weeklong strike to protest China’s handling of the local election process, the government responded with tear gas. Thousands of Hong Kong residents took to the city’s streets in solidarity with the students and the protesters occupied several major roads for weeks on end.

Nearly two months into the occupation, the demands and resolve of the protesters remained unchanged. They started to become fatigued and divided against each other, however, and public support for their cause began to decline. The movement was under immense pressure to either escalate their action, or to retreat and give back the streets.

When VICE News returned to Hong Kong near the end of 2014 to check in on the protesters, we witnessed the final days of the Umbrella Movement’s pro-democracy demonstrations.

In 1997, the longtime British colony of Hong Kong was handed over to China with the understanding that it would retain relative autonomy under the concept of “one country, two systems.” But last month, as part of the so-called Umbrella Revolution, Hong Kongers began vocally demanding Beijing stay out of their political affairs and grant the democracy they say they were promised with the handover.

VICE News traveled to Hong Kong and embedded with the students leading the pro-democracy movement. As protestors marched through and occupied city parks and streets, police fired tear gas and became physically violent. Hong Kong, long a reliably stable world financial center, was being rocked by unrest.